Canadian Family of 5, Including 3 Kids, Identified as Victims of Plane Crash on Nashville Highway

Victor and Rimma Dotsenko and their three children — Emma, Adam and David — were named as victims of Monday's crash

The five passengers who died when a small plane crashed onto a Nashville highway on Monday have been identified.

Canadian couple Victor Dotsenko, 43, and his wife Rimma, 39, — plus their three children David, 12, Adam, 10, and Emma, 7 — were named as the victims of the crash by King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday.

“This is a heartbreaking and devastating loss for our tight-knit community,” the statement read in part. “We stand together in mourning the loss of Rimma Dotsenko, her husband Victor and their three children, and offer our support to all those affected by this tragedy.”

The children’s school, UMCA Rich Tree Academy — located in Vaughan, Ontario — also shared their heartbreak in a statement posted on their Instagram Story Wednesday.

Calling the Dotsenkos “a beloved family within our school,” the school said that "These beautiful children lit up our hallways every day, They all had such a positive energy and attitude towards their friends and teachers."

"Rimma and Victor were always very close to the UMCA family and we will miss them tremendously,” the statement added.

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“Words cannot express the profound sadness and grief we are experiencing as we mourn the loss of the Dotsenko family," the statement continued. "This heartbreaking tragedy has left us all in shock, and and our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."

"As a close-knit school community, it is important that we come together to support one another during times of of sorrow," added the statement. "Our school staff will be able to provide assistance and guidance to any students who may be struggling to cope with this loss.”

The school also shared a photo of the family of five with the caption, “No word can describe the loss the UMCA community feels 🤍🤍🤍.”

Related: 5 Dead, 379 People Evacuated After Japan Airlines Passenger Plane Bursts into Flames on Tokyo Runway

The family of five died when their single-engine plane crashed on the eastbound lanes of Nashville’s Interstate 40 on Monday evening, according to a post from Metropolitan Nashville Police Department on X (formerly known as Twitter).

In traffic cam footage released by BNO News, the aircraft is seen hitting the side of the highway before bursting into flames.

According to the Associated Press and CNN, the pilot had shared that the aircraft had engine failure in an emergency call to John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at around 7:40 p.m. local time.

Per the outlets, police department spokesman Don Aaron said the pilot was given the all-clear to make an emergency landing, however, shortly afterward he reported that he would not be able to reach the airport.

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Citing radio transmissions recordings of the incident, Canadian media outlet CityNews reported that the pilot told the air traffic controllers that his engine had shut down and he had overflown John C. Tune Airport.

“I’m at 1,600 [feet]. I’m going to be landing. I don’t know where,” Victor said, per the outlet. “I’m too far away, I won’t make it.”

According to the outlet, Victor graduated from the Brampton Flight Centre in 2022 with a private pilot license.

Authorities shared that the Federal Aviation Administration and The National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating the crash.

"While we await further details from the ongoing investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time," the statement from Mayor Pellegrini continued. "We also extend our gratitude to the first responders and officials involved in the response and investigation."

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